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News for Mailing Professionals

FYI
USPS has simplified its eight main international products into four: Global Express Guaranteed, Express Mail International, Priority Mail International and First-Class Mail International.

NEW GLOBAL TEAM OFFERS CUSTOMIZED BUSINESS SOLUTIONS

The Postal Service has launched a new Global Business group to help mailers expand their international reach through customized, flexible international shipping solutions - and increase the Postal Service's $1.9 billion annual share of the international shipping market at the same time.

"The U.S. Postal Service is known for keeping America connected, but we really are a global company," says USPS Global Business Managing Director and Senior Vice President Paul Vogel. "We deliver nearly half of the world's mail and our international networks reach every country on the globe."

Vogel says the time is right for international expansion. In addition to extensive market analysis, the new team consulted with customers, integrators, consolidators and national posts around the world and built the Global Business group to be responsive.

"Each customer is unique and we're becoming more accommodating to their individual needs," Vogel says. "We will look at contractual arrangements for international commercial mailers. We have the flexibility to do that, but we've never really exercised it until now."

Vogel says the Postal Service will build on its domestic successes in work sharing, discounts and outsourcing and apply them to the international market.

The new Global Business team consolidates all postal international efforts into one unit - operations, transportation, finance, planning, information technology, account management and postal relations - making it easier for customers to work with the Postal Service for both inbound and outbound international shipping.

Last year the Postal Service collected, processed and delivered more than 793 million pieces of international mail, generating $1.9 billion in revenue.

OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO PERIODICALS INDUSTRY

Red Tag News Publications, representing 70 publications and 20 million readers, has honored USPS Global Business Managing Director and Senior Vice President Paul Vogel for outstanding service to the periodicals industry.

The organization presented Vogel with the William Strong Service Award, citing his "outstanding performance and lasting contribution" to benefit magazine readers and publishers.

"Paul provided leadership to raise awareness of the need for timely service and delivery for all periodicals during a critical time in the industry," said Red Tag Association President Joyce McGarvy, referring to service changes in the late 1990s. "He personally accepted the responsibility to help the industry improve."

In 1997, Vogel led a service improvement team through the Mailers Technical Advisory Committee. His efforts at the time - coupled with ongoing support - have led to improvements in service measurements and standard operating procedures.

Red Tag News Publications represents consumer and business magazines that share a common interest in improving the delivery of their publications.